FD wins state grant for intersection upgrades

Clarion will also receive money for highway work

June 12, 2013

Fort Dodge has been awarded $300,000 by state transportation officials to help pay for improving two busy intersections on the city's east side.

The money will help pay for work at First Avenue South and 25th Street and First Avenue South and 29th Street.

Right-turn lanes will be added to all four sides of both intersections, according to Chad Schaeffer, the city's director of engineering, business affairs and community growth.

Schaeffer said Tuesday evening that the work at First Avenue South and 25th Street is scheduled for the summer of 2014. The work at First Avenue South and 29th Street is slated for the following summer.

The money was awarded by the Iowa Transportation Commission on Tuesday.

It comes from Iowa's Clean Air Attainment Program, which is an account that pays for projects intended to reduce air pollution.

''By adding the turn lanes you increase capacity of the intersections,'' Schaeffer said. ''Thereby you should have less emissions from the vehicles idling while they wait for the light to change.''

He said the grant will not cover all the costs of the intersection projects.

Also on Tuesday, the state Transportation Commission awarded Clarion a grant of up to $127,275. That grant will help to pay for a nearly 400-foot-long right turn lane on Iowa Highway 3 on the city's west side. That turn lane will provide improved access to the expanding Hagie Manufacturing Co. plant. That company, which makes agricultural sprayers, is investing $22 million in facilities and adding 50 new jobs.